The Role of Dicer in Early Mouse Brain Development
Author Information
Author(s): Nowakowski Tomasz Jan, Mysiak Karolina Sandra, Pratt Thomas, Price David Jonathan
Primary Institution: University of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
Micro RNAs regulate the ability of early telencephalic progenitors to establish radial glia.
Conclusion
Loss of functional Dicer leads to misplacement of neurons and an expansion of basal progenitors in the developing mouse telencephalon.
Supporting Evidence
- Conditional mutation of Dicer1 does not prevent morphological development of radial glia.
- Expression of Nestin, Sox9, and ErbB2 is abnormally low in Dicer1-/- telencephalon.
- Basal progenitors generated by radial glia are disorganized and expanded in Dicer1-/- dorsal telencephalon.
- Postmitotic neurons in Dicer1-/- telencephalon show disrupted laminar organization.
- Apoptosis is significantly increased in Dicer1-/- telencephalon at E11.5.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein called Dicer is important for the proper development of brain cells in mice, and without it, some brain cells end up in the wrong places.
Methodology
Conditional mutation of the Dicer1 gene was performed in early embryonic telencephalon to analyze the effects on radial glia and their progeny.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on the early stages of development and may not account for later developmental processes.
Participant Demographics
Mouse embryos at various developmental stages.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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